Hyderabad: Two days after the Telangana high court pulled up the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) over the agency’s “discriminatory action” and questioning its inaction towards the Barrister Fatima Owaisi Educational Campus, reportedly constructed in the Full Tank Level (FTL) area of Salkam Cheruvu, the agency on Saturday clarified that the issue is completely under the high court’s supervision and that HYDRAA will act strictly according to court directions.HYDRAA commissioner AV Ranganath issued the clarification while addressing the press amid mounting criticism, legal disputes and allegations over HYDRAA’s demolition and lake protection drives across the city.Questioning HYDRAA and other govt agencies, justice NV Shravan Kumar on Thursday had asked how large-scale constructions in the middle of a lake allegedly went unnoticed since 2005 without the required approvals. The court also raised concerns over the safety risks involved, and questioned the institution about the consequences if the structures were to collapse..Addressing the issue, the commissioner told the media that the high court has directed the irrigation and revenue departments to conduct a joint survey, demarcate the Full Tank Level (FTL) boundaries and submit reports on unauthorised structures in the disputed area. “GHMC has also been instructed to identify and furnish details of illegal constructions,” he said.He added that HYDRAA would only publish and act upon the survey findings received from the concerned departments and proceed entirely according to further court directions. “We have already submitted records, initiated inquiries and communicated its findings before the court,” Ranganath said, rejecting allegations of selective targeting and bias in the Fatima College case. Certain comments made during court proceedings were being taken out of context, he added.The commissioner also defended HYDRAA’s broader lake protection drives, stating that the agency relies on historical land records, Survey of India maps, satellite imagery, national remote sensing data and NASA/open-source images to establish the original extent of lakes and water bodies. Referring to disputes surrounding Bathukamma Kunta and other lakes, he said the records clearly showed gradual encroachments over the years.“HYDRAA has reclaimed around 2,093 acres of land so far, including lakes, nalas, parks and govt land, with an estimated value of nearly Rs 80,000 crore,” Ranganath said. The agency has registered around 90 FIRs related to encroachments and debris dumping and has also recommended disciplinary action against several officials accused of permitting illegal constructions in FTL and buffer zones.Stressing that every action follows a legal process, the commissioner said complaints first undergo inquiries, document verification and hearings before any demolition or enforcement action is taken.
